Archive for the ‘Recommended Books’ Category
See all content for this category
Names You Can Trust – Eric Meyer
Monday, February 14th, 2011This is the second post in what will be an ongoing series.
CSS (or Cascading Style Sheets) is a wonderful thing to learn if you want to make attractive websites. There are endless books, videos, and blog posts about the topic.
But who should you listen to? There are so many voices out there that finding solid sources of information can be very frustrating. This is why I will be doing small posts about the people that I have been recommending to my students for years.
When I was teaching myself about CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), I was stumped for where to begin. Nowadays there are many fine resources for new users, but at the time I was doing this there were not that many and there was no one clear place to start. I am one of the odd ducks that can learn software and related topics from books. I will do searches and play in the software once I get going, but I usually will grab a decent book at read for a few days first.
Where to begin?
First I show people why they would take the time and spend the energy to learn a new language (it’s really just like picking up Spanish or French, only it’s much harder to pick up someone in a bar). The fastest way to do this is to go to CSS Zen Garden. Once they are shown that the basic HTML content is not allowed to change I let them play with loading different designs. If you have not seen this site go now (really – now).
Next…
I have people go to CSShark. This site has been around for ages and is a nice easy intro to CSS.
and
Last but not least I get to Eric (were you wondering why a post about Eric didn’t mention him for the last half page?). The way I see it, there are many fine people on the CSS Gods hierarchy – but all of them at one point reference Eric Meyer.
He has many good books available and they are all worth getting – to start I show people his 2002 book “Eric Meyer on CSS”. It has good, clear explanations for why you are doing things and enough graphics to keep you on track. My favorite thing is that you don’t have to worry about him turning around and saying “oops, sorry that doesn’t work – I should have tested that”.
I have other books that I really like for CSS but I can always find value in the “meyer on css’ books. Yes books, plural.
So… If you want to pick up a new web skill and are not sure where to turn, take my word for it – you can never go wrong listening to Eric Meyer when it comes to CSS!
Names You Can Trust – Steve Krug
Thursday, December 23rd, 2010For a simple, and very useful, Web Design and Usability overview – “Don’t Make Me Think” is the first book to get.
I often suggest specific books, websites, and forums for my students to follow after class. I’ve decided to start a series of posts about these. There are some people who, when I see their name on something, I will always listen to – so this is my “Names you can trust” series.
Today’s name is: Steve Krug. Steve has written many articles and books that are a wonderful resource for web designers and developers. The first book I suggest for beginning web design students is “Don’t Make Me Think” (Amazon has it here).
You can see a sample from the book at http://www.adobe.com/designcenter/dialogbox/usability/
This book is small and an easy read (a perfect airplane book) but has a solid and clear way of introducing usability in web design. After reading his book even the most skittish newbie will have a solid sense of why usability matters and why it’s something that can be added into every design project. This is a good resource for anyone who is interested in how or why usability can be incorporated into design.
My new favorite ActionScript/Flash book
Sunday, April 4th, 2010If you had asked me last week what the best book for Actionscript 3.0 was, I would have said “Learning ActionScript 3.0″ from O’Reilly press.
I have totally changed my mind on that. I recently picked up “Foundation Flash CS4 for Designers” from friends of Ed press.
It is a fantastic book for Flash CS4 and Actionscript 3. It is not a beginning book but quite a good book for intermediate/advanced users. It’s comprehensive for all basic skills, which makes it a thick book. If you want a project-based book to work through for a few weeks – this is it!
If you have a good digital camera…
Saturday, March 29th, 2008.. and have, or are getting Photoshop CS3.
Check out this book – Real World Camera Raw
I never thought I’d say “don’t do your big edits in Photoshop, do them in Camera Raw” but the new version of the software and this book are making me reconsider that position.
–
Ed. Note -Â If you want an easy way to have your digital photos printed, check out Snapfish! I’m very happy with the price and quality. Small prints for .09 cents is awsome.
Organization of Office and Email
Friday, March 28th, 2008If you have not seen it, consider finding “Getting Things Done” in your local bookstore.
It is fantastic! I am taking much of the advice to heart in getting my home office under control. In the same vein, there is a website 43 folders that is very helpful. The 43 folders piece is from the GTD book and will make more sense in context.
From the Blog
- WordPress, I both love and hate you
Saturday, April 28th, 2012 - A Learning and Development Professional’s Continuing Education
Wednesday, March 21st, 2012 - Photoshop CS6 Sneek Peek #3
Monday, February 13th, 2012